The most gripping stories out of recent headlines in Atlanta and around the world have involved a fleet of communicators helping our city in the wake of having a major highway destroyed, assisting cities suffering weather events and natural disasters and providing aid and support in a world faced with a refugee crisis. PR planning and a surefooted stream of communications have been vital to tackle these real-time challenges.

Stephany Fisher, formerly of CBS Atlanta and now communications manager at MARTA, will moderate a panel featuring three individuals at the heart of the stories and segments that have stirred and moved us:

The year’s first PRSA Georgia seminar addresses an area that’s fundamental to each of our businesses: search engine optimization (SEO). In the crowded online marketplace of organizations and ideas, you and your content first have to be found! SEO is one of the most data-driven disciplines that PR communicators and marketers can leverage in driving more business. Expert Jenny Munn will share the ways you can make sure you and your organization can be discovered for your greatest assets and content.

She will teach seminar attendees the fundamental role PR plays in contributing to SEO, social signals you should heed and techniques for link building. Attendees will leave with an understanding of the fundamentals for ensuring you’re maximizing your organic, direct, referral and search functionality.

Some of her tips show how to “spoonfeed” Google and its changing algorithms. She also debunks myths such as “putting up press releases just for search” and “just write good content.”

This interactive session will help you understand the latest innovations in this rapidly changing space and help you:

Generate new traffic, conversions and leads for your company and content

Maximize industry thought leadership and authority through discoverability and a better search presence

‘Tis the season to treat yourself!!! You have likely been considering joining PRSA all year — don’t wait until 2018 to invest in yourself. Join by Dec. 31 and we will send you a $40 gift card to Amazon and waive the $65 initiation fee.

Your PRSA membership connects you to more than 21,000 public relations and communication professionals, gives you access to free and/or discounted educational opportunities, and opens lines of communication 24/7 with your peers via PRSA’s online community forum.

Use promo code DEC17 to take advantage of this opportunity to grow professionally and give yourself a little something extra — that you can really use!